Here's a question for you dog lovers. Which breed is best at alerting it's sleeping owner about attempted break ins. Not asking about trained attack dogs or the like just something to buy an extra minute or two when something aint quite right in the middle of the night. This would be in addition to being a good companion of course.

Bill73

08-07-2004 18:32

Our German Shepherd alerts us to the door bell, turning of the knob. Her hearing is amazing. I assume she would go bananas with the breaking of glass, etc. She is a very curious dog but is friendly to all humans we greet. I don't know what she would do if either of us were abused, I can only hope.

protozo1

08-07-2004 18:39

Great Danes. Mine bark when they hear something out of sorts. It's a big booming heavy bark and most people that come to the door step back up 2 or 3 steps just when they hear the bark. They back up more when the dogs come to the door and are eye to eye with them. As companions you couldn't ask for more loyal loving dogs. But being a large breed the vet bills are higher and transport and general care requires a bigger vehicle and more time. I would do some heavy research in any breed you select so you get one that fits you best.

pesticidal

08-07-2004 18:42

I have a Cairn Terrier that not much gets by. She'll even start a bark a split second before I hear the phone ring. Not a big dog in size, but she's the first one out to see what's going on.

MrsKitty

08-07-2004 19:51

A small yippy dog is a good choice too. Any flavor will do. They bark their little heads off and unlike a big dog, most can't be distracted by a steak or treats ;)

Wulfenite

08-07-2004 19:54

Most any terrier.

Dandapani

08-07-2004 20:03

My pack of small dogs do a pretty good job of alerting: toy poodle, minature poodle, and Yorkshire terrier. In training is our standard poodle pup bred out of royal poodle stock (extra large!) who should end up northward of eighty pounds. The little dogs are training him to alert to sounds. Won't be long and he'll have a big bark and a big bite!

Berto

08-07-2004 20:04

I really can't say...seems like all dogs can do the job pretty well.:)
Allie perks up if anyone comes up the stairs....she goes to the door and listens,if the person stops in front my door,she alerts.Her hearing amazes me;she recognizes the the difference between me hitting keys and shutting off the monitor-and comes into the room when she thinks I'm done ;f
She knows the sound of my truck,jeep and roomate's car when we get home from work,hauls ass onto the deck,then the door,back and forth.
It's great.

nhglocker

08-08-2004 16:41

Quote:

Originally posted by misskitty5077 A small yippy dog is a good choice too. Any flavor will do. They bark their little heads off and unlike a big dog, most can't be distracted by a steak or treats ;)

One of the reasons I ask about particular breeds is that from what I understand of dogs different breeds are better suited for different tasks (hunting, guarding, competitions, etc.) I remember growing up my family had a yippy little dog who would bark incessently when friends&family came to the door but would scurry under the couch when a stranger showed up. :)

Funny little dog but not much good for an intruder alert.

Spen84107

08-08-2004 23:21

I vote for German Shepard. I've heard good things about the Belgian Malinois breed as well. Very alert and protective of family.

Both are very obedient and very loyal. I have a malamute/german shepard mix that is excellent. He has the best of both breeds.

noway

08-10-2004 08:55

I agreed with the small dogs being good dedicated watch dogs. A pomerian makes agood intruder alarm.

Goldendog Redux

08-11-2004 20:51

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She only barks when needed. It is a pretty fierce bark too. She won't atttack. She barks so I can.

MF

MrsKitty

08-11-2004 22:14

Goldendog, That is a great photo ;a

Goldendog Redux

08-11-2004 22:33

She is obviously teaching the kittens the finer points of napping. To stay on the topic of the thread, she will awaken and alert us of anything unusual. Since she is not a barker, she always gets praise when she barks in the house.

Here's our alarm. Being only 5 pounds he's got no problem calling for backup. A couple yips and the rest of the herd comes running. He doesn't bark too often, so when he does there's a reason.

FThorn

08-12-2004 11:23

I wonder what breed smells the least. And, I'd wonder this from the view of people that VISIT the dog owners; since the owners themselves have probably gotten used to the smells in their own house.

mpol777

08-12-2004 11:40

I'll bet small breeds end up smelling better. Ever try giving a 70lb dog a bath? We've got two that size and I've taken to filling up the kiddie pool in the backyard rather than flood the bathroom. On the other hand I can dunk my chihuahuas in the sink and all I get is a concerned look.

What I'm getting at is that small dogs are easier to bathe, thus get baths more often. They also don't leave giant landmines in the backyard like larger dogs. Less in, less out. ;f

G20man32904

08-12-2004 11:57

nhglocker,
Pick the breed that best suits your lifestyle or better yet adopt a dog from the local pound.
The question you are asking is more a product of good training than breed charcteristics. Hope this helps

Originally posted by G20man32904 nhglocker,
Pick the breed that best suits your lifestyle or better yet adopt a dog from the local pound.
The question you are asking is more a product of good training than breed charcteristics. Hope this helps

But really, I don't want a dog that stinks us up and nobody tells us. Plus, I've developed this unhealthy fear about bringing disease/dirt/etc into the house. So, I'm struggling with what breed to get.

I grew up with tons of animals. But, I've changed since then.

Okay, any breed better/worse around loud noises - ie Gunshots in self defense? Has a police dog ever been known to lose it and turn on his master during a ruckus or gunfight? Or, not be able to be healed if attacking a BG?